Holiday Decor & Ornaments

 

Wooden Trees for Indoor & Sheltered Outdoor Locations

The trees are 32 inches and 18 inches. They are made of stained oak or pine and can be easily disassembled to store. The woodworkers, Dick Greenwood and David Anderson, are featured in the Artisan section. 

 

The 2022 Holmstad Bazaar Wooden Ornament

Resident Jack Franklin hand shapes the hollow wooden spheres and finials and inserts a battery-operated tea light. The light is on a six-hour timer and the battery is replaceable for many years of enjoyment. 

In the Dark

In the Light

 

The popular Sea Urchin Ornaments are still available! 

Jack Franklin is also offering more of the sea urchin ornaments with turned wood finials. Find out more about Jack in the Artisan section. 

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Entertaining & Gifts

Charcuterie Boards and Sets

Take a look at the features about David Anderson and Steve Ewalt in the Artisan section. They both made a variety of charcuterie boards and other gifts for the October 1 Bazaar. 

 

Elegant Wooden Boxes 

David Anderson created several shapes of Bandsaw Boxes — each tiny box has a drawer for treasures.

 

Resident Joe Whatley crafted keepsake wooden boxes from several woods. A feature about Joe and another photo of one of his boxes is in the Artisan section. 

Handcrafted Walking Sticks

One of Richard “Mac” MacFeely’s specialties is turning walking sticks. Find out more about his woodworking in the Artisan section. 

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Detail of Mac’s Walking Sticks

Wooden Toys & Puzzles

Shop for new toys and puzzles in the Wood Shop and in the Creative Arts Shop. The Book & Puzzle Shop and the Flea Market have pre-owned toys and puzzles.  

Wooden Puzzles

These wooden puzzles are created by Ron Diller, son of a resident. Pieces range from 1” to 1/8” thick, 2” to 15” tall, by 2” to 20” long.  Most of them will stand up for ease of display.  Some are framed for travel or can be placed on a coffee table to entertain guests.  Learn more about Ron and his woodworking skills in the Artisan section.   

Wooden Preschool Toys

This is one of Wilbur Zirk’s sturdy pull-toys for preschoolers. The 16″ alligator is Wilbur’s own pattern. Find more about Wilbur and his wooden toys in the Artisan section. 

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Visit the Holmstad Gift Shop While You’re at the Bazaar

The Holmstad Gift Shop is operated by resident volunteers. It will be open during the October 1 Bazaar. Stop in to purchase commercially produced and handmade cards created by residents. Also available are seasonal items, children’s toys and activities for quiet time. In addition to the regular merchandise, the Gift Shop will have a table of clearance bargains. Come and find that special gift!

Autumn gifts and decor are in stock. 

 

There is a beautiful selection of fall scarves for you or to give to someone special. 

 

Several residents make cards that are popular in the Gift Shop. Commercial cards are also available at reasonable prices. 

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Holmstad’s Creative Arts Center is the “Happy Place” for Many Residents

Darlene Miller, co-chair of the Bazaar’s Creative Arts Shop, is making a fabric book for toddlers.

From February through August, more than 50 residents created over 300 different items to sell in the Creative Arts Shop. Linda Anderson and Darlene Miller lead this team of residents who are generous with their time and talents to create items that bring joy to others. Linda Anderson shares, “For many residents, the Creative Arts Center is their ‘Happy Place’.”

You’ll find seasonal décor for fall and Christmas, several afghans, children’s toys, toddler fabric books, knitted baby and children’s wear, a variety of adult knitted and crocheted hats, scarves, and gloves.

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Knitted, Crocheted, Stitched and Hardanger Needlework

Residents have been hard at work since last February, preparing toddler dresses, children’s clothing, knitted toys, hats, mittens, scarves, and afghans for you on October 1. Also look in the Artisan section for the feature on Allan Dempsey and more of his Hardanger needlework. He will have his own shop at the Bazaar.   

A variety of chef’s aprons for yourself or to give to your favorite cook.  

Knitted Dress – Sizes 1 to 1-1/2 years. There are other adorable, knitted toddler dresses offered on October 1. 

Colorful knitted stuffed toys – There are knitted stuffed toys in several sizes at the Bazaar. 

Knitted & Crocheted Afghan – Four members of the Holmstad knitting group contributed their skills to complete this 50” X 60” afghan. The colorful squares are knitted, and the afghan is finished with a crocheted edge. When asked for an estimate of how long it took them to create it, all they would say was “many, many, many hours!” Left to Right:  Barbara Soris, Linda Anderson, Karen Stebbins, Barbara Hartig. Karen is the knitting group instructor and the daughter of a Holmstad resident. 

Closeup of the large afghan. This is one of several beautiful afghans that will be sold at the October 1 Holmstad Bazaar.

afghan, knit, crochet, Christmas, toddler, dress, gift

Hardanger needlework Christmas Angel – Resident Allan Dempsey learned Norwegian Hardanger needlework 40 years ago. Several of his pieces — such as this beaded Christmas angel — will be for sale at the Bazaar on October 1. Read more about Allan and Hardanger embroidery in the Artisan section of this website. 

 

Great for Baking, Holiday Entertaining, & Gifts

17 Varieties on October 1 

Holmstad residents will be selling Terri Lynn deluxe nuts, dried fruits, and candies at the October 1 Bazaar. This year, they’re offering 17 varieties including raw and roasted nuts, granola, honey-roasted peanuts, and nut and fruit mixes.

Deluxe Mixed Nuts (no peanuts) 

These are popular gifts for those you want to remember but don’t know what to give.  

Giant Malted Milk Balls

Until you’ve tried these, you haven’t tasted the best! They make great stocking stuffers. 

Fancy Mammoth Pecan Halves

Most raw pecans are expensive and small. These are very large, sweet, and reasonably priced. Raw light walnuts will also be available.  

Colossal Pistachios

Great for snacking — these are especially fresh and easy to open. 

Heart Healthy Nut Mix

Also offered on October 1 are Harvest Medley, Sweet & Salty Trail Mix, and Bridge Mix. 

Giant Whole Cashews

Resident Marsha Christie declares, “The roasted cashews are huge and so sweet. They are the best!”

Christmas, gift, nut, pecan, walnut

Books & Puzzles for All Ages

28 Categories of Books in the Shop

One large room is filled with books and puzzles for all ages. The books are sorted into 28 categories so you can easily find your favorite mysteries, best sellers, cookbooks, and Chicago topics. There are many books this year in the “Children and Young Adult” category.  New this year are books to learn and teach sign language.

Books About the Chicago Region

Puzzles

There are a lot of used Ravensburger, Ceaco, and Bits & Pieces puzzles to browse. Note: Because they are donated, we cannot guarantee that each puzzle is complete. But they are definitely priced to sell.  

book, puzzle, gift, child, adult

Coffee Table Books

Surprises Found in Donated Books

When books are donated by residents to sell at the Holmstad Bazaar, they often forget to remove things they had used as bookmarks. This year, Co-chair Judy Johnson found this expired Medicare card in a donated book and returned it to the resident.

Ron Diller’s Wooden Puzzles

Ron Diller Brings Joy to Kids & Parents with His Wooden Puzzles

Ron Diller is an accomplished woodworker and the son of a Covenant Living at the Holmstad resident. He has graciously donated several wooden puzzles for the October 1 Bazaar.

Ron reports, “I’ve been producing these puzzles for six years and through the years have used existing patterns and developed some of my own patterns and designs.  Some puzzles are painted, and others left natural wood.  

“Seasonal puzzles (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, etc.) are my favorite ones to make and I try to come up with different designs every year. They’ve brought a lot of joy to kids and parents, and I enjoy coming up with new designs as I continue to produce them.”

toy, Christmas, gift, child, wood

Ron’s Wooden Puzzles

Pieces range from 1” to 1/8” thick, 2” to 15” tall, by 2” to 20” long.  Most of them will stand up for ease of display.  Some are framed for travel or can be placed on a coffee table to entertain guests.